People all over the world and of all ages can get COVID-19 or spread the virus. Fewer infants, children and young adults have died or gotten seriously ill so far, but they are not immune.
The majority of people recover, according to data from China and other countries. Many people report mild or moderate symptoms. But “mild” is relative — some patients with so-called mild cases have still reported feeling very sick. Patients who have severe cases of COVID-19 may get pneumonia. The World Health Organization estimates 3 to 4 percent of cases lead to death.
From the time you are exposed, symptoms could appear within two to 14 days (but most commonly it’s about five days). A smaller number of patients have reported headaches, nausea or diarrhea. Some people get the virus but appear to have no symptoms, putting them at greater risk for passing it to others. Or symptoms can be easily confused with the seasonal flu, which has also complicated efforts to identify and contain COVID-19.